Siri's 11-year reign may be coming to an end as a new generative AI rival called Perplexity has just landed on Apple's App Store.
Please note that Perplexity is not based on ChatGPT and has its own AI. However, it works in the same way as ChatGPT. You ask him a question, like who designed the Golden Gate Bridge, and he'll give you an answer in seconds. From here, you can enter a follow-up question, use the voice command feature to verbally ask questions, or choose one from the generated selection. The responses can then be shared via a messaging app or social media platform. It'll even save "your chat history so you can pick up where you left off," according to the App Store listing (opens in a new tab). But unlike ChatGPT, Perplexity actually provides the sources (opens in a new tab) that you used to generate content. Below, you'll see quotes from Wikipedia, local news sites, and national newspapers like NPR, along with a short text that provides context.
To use Perplexity, you'll need a compatible iPhone running iOS 16 or later to install the app, or a Mac M1 running macOS 13.0 or later.
As for an Android version, it doesn't seem like the developers behind Perplexity have any intention of creating one at the time of writing. We have reached out to the team via the official PerplexityAI Discord channel, but have yet to hear back. The closest thing you can do is use AI through a web browser on your Android device or Windows computer. A Chrome extension (opens in a new tab) is also available if you prefer more direct access.
The future of Siri
With the introduction of Perplexity on the iPhone, you basically have a form of AI similar to ChatGPT on every Apple platform (opens in a new tab) and we're not talking about accessing the generative AI through a web browser. Mac computers have MacGPT, a native application that provides quick access on desktop computers that recently received a major update. A few weeks ago, the Apple Watch got Petey as an easily accessible on-device assistant to replace Siri.
So we can't help but wonder what's going on behind the scenes at Apple Inc. The company has been eerily quiet, allowing ChatGPT to roam its platform unhindered as third-party apps. Not that Apple is leaving this new trend in the tech industry alone, so it must be something. The closest indication we have at this point is that Apple is enacting new rules on its App Store for generative AI. According to a CNBC report (opens in a new tab), it recently pushed back an update to the BlueMail app due to concerns about the software's ChatGPT feature not including a filter to protect minors from inappropriate content.
The date for Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 - opens in a new tab - has been set for June 5. We can't wait to see what changes, if any, Siri might get. It will be interesting to see if the veteran virtual assistant gets an overhaul that allows him to take on his new rivals or get kicked out by an entirely new AI model.
Until then, be sure to check TechRadar's list of the best virtual assistants for 2023.